Man Utd close in on agreement over Smalling exit

Manchester United are closing in on an agreement over the permanent sale of Chris Smalling to Roma.

Smalling signed for the Serie A side on a season-long loan deal last summer after falling out-of-favour at Old Trafford, the defender having since enjoyed a hugely impressive spell in the Italian capital to establish himself as a key figure.

Roma manager Paulo Fonseca is now keen to secure the services of the centre-back on a permanent deal, with Corriere dello Sport (via the Mirror) reporting that ‘a breakthrough’ has been reached over an extension to Smalling’s deal.

The offer would see the defender spend a further season on-loan in Rome for a fee of around £2.7m, though a clause would be inserted obligating the Italians to purchase the player permanently the following summer.

Smalling was forced out of Manchester United following the signing of Harry Maguire from Leicester last summer and appears to have no future at the club under Ole Gunnar Solskjaer, despite his performances in Serie A having seen him linked with a potential England recall.

The player himself is said to be happy with life in Italy and playing abroad after reinvigorating his career at Roma, and an agreement to suit all parties is expected to be finalised in the coming weeks.

Herrera opens up on working with Jose Mourinho, Solskjaer and his Man Utd exit